Jackson Art Studio & Gallery Raises the Bar

WHEN CURRICULUMS FALL SHORT

Jackson Art Studio & Gallery Raises the Bar

Words by Janis A. Pryor; photos by Jackson Art Studio

Words by Janis A. Pryor; photos by Jackson Art Studio

For years, Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, located in Jackson, New Hampshire, has worked to design and provide a range of art classes and workshops for children, teenagers, and young people, as well as adults. Melanie Barash Levitt, professional artist and owner of the Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, stated, “We are committed to bringing art into the lives of everyone, but especially children and young people. With so many cutbacks in school budgets, we are happy to use the summer season to expose them to the possibilities and lessons learned through creating art.” Enhancing the camps, workshops, and classes offered, the gallery has local instructors who are professional artists, as well as artists that come in from all over the country to teach.

Levitt’s mission is to give kids an outlet and a relaxed place to be creative while exposing them to different art forms. With only one hour of art a week in most schools (some less), too many children come to the studio not having the motor skills to cut with scissors or even use crayons to color. Simple things we take for granted, like holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon or pencil is an indication of how their motor skills are developing … or not! Levitt and her instructors work with the children in a fun and exciting way.

Levitt says many kids have grown up taking art classes at her studio, from the time they were in kindergarten to high school. Some have become interns at the studio, going on to prestigious art schools. “Melanie has been an important mentor in applying to college and eventually developing a finished portfolio,” said Gillian Robert, one of the current interns at the gallery. “She helped me get into my dream art school and has encouraged me to understand what I want to do in the future. I have the opportunity to explore many areas of art at teen classes and adult workshops.”

Many kids have grown up taking art classes at the studio, from the time they were in kindergarten to high school. Some have become interns at the studio, going on to prestigious art schools.

From kindergarten to high school, owner Melanie Levitt’s mission is to give kids an outlet and a relaxed place to be creative while exposing them to different art forms. Enhancing the camps, workshops, and classes offered, the gallery has local instructors who are professional artists, as well as artists that come in from all over the country to teach.

Levitt said, “I take the interns under my wing and give them experience in running a studio and gallery while being able to take free classes. I also help them develop portfolios. They get real-life experience while helping with shows and hanging artwork; they also assist with classes for younger kids, distribute flyers, organize supplies, gesso canvases, and help with pricing artwork. They come to the studio and work two to three hours a week and love being surrounded by colorful, quality, local art.”

Many of her interns develop close ties with Levitt and characterize their experiences as “the one thing they look forward to.” Gillian Roberts also said, “While working at the studio, I have learned essential skills to run a gallery. I have learned what it takes to run an art show and been a part of the process. It has given me the opportunity to create my own work, while being a member of an uplifting community. One of my favorite parts of interning at Jackson Art is working with young kids who are excited to learn how to express themselves artistically. Recently, I took an oil painting workshop that focused on light and shadow in landscapes. I have been very lucky to have this opportunity at Jackson Art!”

Melanie is very passionate about working with teens who are interested in pursuing art. Last fall, she offered an after-school plein air (outdoor) painting class at Kennett High School and it filled up immediately. She is hoping to find a grant that enables her to get more involved with high school students and grade school students at local schools.

Too many children are more adept at playing games on a smartphone than cutting and pasting. This “leap frogging” enabled by too much technology is a problem that is not getting better, portending serious developmental consequences. During those first 18 years of our lives, we develop more than we will during the following 50 years!

In her article, “Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best,” Fran Smith wrote, “Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills. Active engagement in the arts can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork.” Quoted in the same article, Eric Cooper, president and founder of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education added, “Arts education enables those children from a financially challenged background to have a more level playing field with children who have had those enrichment experiences.”

Is there a path from a child’s squiggles, scribbles, and shapes in a drawing to excellence? The answer is yes. In a PBS Parents online article, Grace Hwang Lynch wrote, “A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be

Another parent, Kathleen Horton, said, “My daughter has been attending art camp at Jackson Art for the past three summers. She consistently tells me that, ‘it was the best week of the summer.’ She produces wonderful works of art that exceed both her school program and other art camps that cost more. She has grown as an artist and has also had fun and made friendships in the area. I highly recommend this camp for any child who has an interest in being creative and exploring different mediums of art!”